Hors La Loi could run over fences

Paul Green`s high-class hurdler Hors La Loi III may be set to embark on a chasing career, it emerged today.

The 2000 Champion Hurdle runner-up will reappear in a hurdle race at Ascot on Friday week but he reportedly schooled well over fences under Dean Gallagher at Newmarket on Saturday.

A spokesman for his owner said: 'I think he is keen to see how Hors La Loi does over hurdles again but he is aware that he has schooled well and it may be that it won`t take much for him to be persuaded to go chasing.'

Trainer James Fanshawe added: 'Getting the horse right is the major thing. He didn`t seem to really enjoy life last year but he seems much happier and is in good form at present. I am pleased with his preparation.'

Hors La Loi III gained his last win in the Axminster Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton in February, 2000 - in which he was second this year - and he has been pulled up in three of his six starts since.

Fanshawe said: 'I hope we can rekindle the flame with him. He only really ran one good race last season and that was at Wincanton. I could never be confident about how he would run and it got a bit frustrating.

'But he has schooled well over fences and I think that will eventually be his game.

'He will make his return on Friday week in the Price Waterhouse Coopers Ascot Hurdle over two and a half miles, which will be ideal for him.

'We`ll see how he gets on and take it from there.'